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jbyrd102082 · Jul 28, 2013, 02:05 PM

Can anyone tell me what website can provide detailed and factual information on people who are diagnosed manic deperssive bipolar type 1? Information such as how often mania can occur, and if it's common for people with this dissorder to think they are not sick, so they do not medicate as prescribed?

Wondergirl · Jul 28, 2013, 02:14 PM

The Mayo Clinic and webmd are two reputable websites.

Bipolar illness runs on my father's side of the family. Mania can be rapid-cycling or not show up that often (and depression is the main manifestation). Lithium used to be the medication of choice but now there are myriads of medications that may have to be tried and rejected and new ones tried until the right med and dosage is found. And over time, even that med may run its course, and new ones tried.

Taking medication on time and at the correct dosage (compliance) is an eternal problem with patients who are bipolar.

joypulv · Jul 28, 2013, 02:15 PM

You can read all day, but I can tell you that how often mania can occur varies very widely, it IS common for people to think they are not sick, and they often do not medicate as prescribed. Many will medicate in a depressive stage but not in mania, since they feel GREAT when manic.
It is impossible to generalize about bipolar. It can be obvious and extreme, or not very noticeable. It can be combined with addictions to drugs and or alcohol. It can even be misdiagnosed, since it overlaps with other disorders such as schizoid or schizophrenic.

jbyrd102082 · Jul 28, 2013, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

The Mayo Clinic and webmd are two reputable websites.

Bipolar illness runs on my father's side of the family. Mania can be rapid-recycling or not show up that often (and depression is the main manifestation). Lithium used to be the medication w choice but now there are myriads of medications that may have to be tried and rejected and new ones tried until the right med and dosage is found. And over time, even that med may run its course, and new ones tried.

Taking medication on time and at the correct dosage (compliance) is an eternal problem with patients who are bipolar.

thanks :) my daughters dad is fresh out of a behavioral health unit (again) and I need lagitamet documents that I can obtain without a lawyer about his specific issue.

Wondergirl · Jul 28, 2013, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrd102082

thanks :) my daughters dad is fresh out of a behavioral health unit (again) and i need lagitamet documents that i can obtain without a lawyer about his specific issue.

Have you (or more likely she) talked with one or more psychiatrists or social workers there? Why do YOU need documents? (How old is your daughter?)

jbyrd102082 · Jul 28, 2013, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Have you (or more likely she) talked with one or more psychiatrists or social workers there? Why do YOU need documents? (How old is your daughter?)

she'll be 3 in August. If you can find the only other question I posted wich was: "am i within my legal rights" I posted all the detail of what I'm dealing with in it.

Wondergirl · Jul 28, 2013, 06:18 PM

The variations and manifestations of bipolar illness are so huge, so it would be impossible for anyone n this site or even for you (without documentation from his psychiatrists) to define his level of illness. Have you tried to connect with any of his psychiatrists or social workers?

jbyrd102082 · Jul 28, 2013, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

The variations and manifestations of bipolar illness are so huge, so it would be impossible for anyone n this site or even for you (without documentation from his psychiatrists) to define his level of illness. Have you tried to connect with any of his psychiatrists or social workers?

Since we were never married I can't get any info without a lawyer, which is why I'm looking for the most accurate info I can find myself to present to the judge.

Wondergirl · Jul 28, 2013, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrd102082

Since we were never married i can't get any info without a lawyer, which is why i'm looking for the most accurate info i can find myself to present to the judge.

"Accurate information" (researched) to present to the judge may not be what is wrong with him. Can you at least get a diagnosis?

Your local library should have a copy of the new DSM-5 (or a previous edition). That's the psychiatrists' "bible." Look for a medical description of bipolar in it.

joypulv · Jul 29, 2013, 04:35 AM

The judge isn't going to be interested in web site printouts about bipolar. The court wants police, court, hospital, doctor reports at most, and only if they ask for them. (Besides, judges have encountered every condition there is.)

You can read countless articles for your own knowledge, but we have pretty much summed up the generalities here, as it is an illness with so much variety.